The intense 2017 Migu Run Skyrunner® World Series comes to an exciting close this weekend where the Sky Classic titles are at stake in Italy at the Limone SkyRace®, Saturday, October 14. The Overall title and prizes will also be awarded.
A deeply stacked international field will line up to fight for the titles on a new course 29 km long with 2,500m vertical climb designed to be even more challenging and technically demanding.
With nine out of the top ten ranked men competing, the finish line will be the decider. Three candidates, Aritz Egea, Marco De Gasperi and Jan Margarit will contend the Sky Classic title based on the five best results out of eleven. An extra 20% bonus points are awarded here.
The following scenarios unfold:
- if Egea is not top-three, De Gasperi takes the title if he finishes at least fifth – even if Margarit wins. (Both have points to discard)
- If Egea wins and De Gasperi is second, De Gasperi will be crowned
- If Margarit wins and Egea is second, Egea will take the title
Ranking leader Egea comments, “Being back in Limone is great as it’s one of the hardest races I know. The competition is always very tough. I´m really excited to see what will happen at the Series’ final. I think Marco has a real chance to take it, but anything could happen and I will fight till the end!”
De Gasperi adds, “I participated in the races that always fascinated me, looking for challenges and to enjoy running like I did years ago. I must be honest, I’m really tired now and the Limone course is very demanding. I’m one of the protagonists of the World Series finals and it will be a great pleasure to face Aritz, Jan, Pascal and all the other young athletes.”
The women’s forecast is an open book with five candidates up for the title: Laura Orgué, Hillary Gerardi, Sheila Avilés, Oihana Azkorbebeitia and Ragna Debats.
The most probable outcome is between Orgué and Avilés. Whoever wins the race wins the title. If Avilés is scond and Orgué third, the crown will still belong to Orgue.
“My shape was ok, but now I’ve a cold so it means I’ll have to manage low energy to perform well in the race which has a high level of participants.” Orgué said. “It will be very interesting because we’ll play for the victory of the Overall. I’m excited for that and a little bit worried about my health… but that’s sport and competition!”
Avilés states, “I’m really looking forward to racing in Limone with the great skyrunning champions even though I haven’t been good with muscle pain after racing last week. I’ll be very happy just to be on the start line without pain!”
Top runners joining the above include, Men: Stian Angermund-Vik, Rémi Bonnet, Eugeni Gil, Kiril Nikolov, Marc and Oscar Casal Mir, Julen Martinez, Eduard Hernandez, Hector Haines, Pascal Egli.
Women: Laura Sola, Maria Zorroza, Katrine Villumsen, Stephanie Jimenez, Anna Comet.
The Overall ranking titles and prizes are also at stake here, based on one race in each category (Sky Classic, Sky Extreme, Sky Ultra). Mathematically Jonathan Albon has already won, untouchable by any contenders.
The women’s title will be disputed between ranking leader Maite Maiora and Ragna Debats, second. If Debats is first or second in the race, she will take the Overall title. Otherwise, Maiora will be the champion.
Maiora concludes, “Limone was my first victory on the Skyrunner® World Series in 2014. The technical course, the supporters and the surroundings motivate me just like that first time. There’s nothing to suggest I won’t be able to use those good feelings to repeat that victory for all my followers and sponsor.”
The Migu Run Skyrunner® World Series will award the End of Season Bonus Pool amounting to € 60,000 across the three categories and the Overall rankings.
The weekend’s events include the Grèste de la Mughéra Vertical Kilometer® valid for the Vertical Kilometer® World Circuit and final of the Skyrunning European Championships.
No less than 1,000 athletes from 32 countries will converge on the spectacular lakeside venue where for once, the events will be the big attraction.
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